Performing Reviews
“…There are some musical surprises along the way. "The House of Borden" comes directly from the musical-theater playbook (I kept thinking of "The House Upon the Hill" from "The Secret Garden.") And there's a straight-up hymn, "Watchmen for the Morning," that, while cleverly played for hypocritical laughs, is gorgeously sung by Nicole Visco and Briana Moten, as the accused and her accomplice-sister.
The singing throughout lands in that high-adrenaline rock way; especially notable are the harmonies between Visco and all three of her cast mates. Music director Rebekah Piatt also gets excellent sound from the accompanying rock band, with jarring, jangling, reverb chords augmenting that mood.
It all comes right up to the border of too much affectation. But what pulls it back is the commitment of the actors. They are feeling this. Visco looks downright maniacal at times as Lizzie's cauldron of emotions bubbles over.”
“Lizzie: The Rock Musical boasts perhaps the most authentically kick-ass score of any off-Broadway rock musical since Hedwig and the Angry Inch, and this talented cast scream-sings their way their way through it all with appropriate gusto. McLeary's pipes are especially powerful during her punk numbers, and Visco wrings real emotion out of her heart-wrenching (and throat-thrashing) arias.
Even so, the satirical glee this show takes in subverting the audience's expectations — the parents and their murders are never even seen onstage - came through loud and clear, and Visco's unnerving gaze needed no words to give me goosebumps.
“Now, the main event, was clearly Huzzah! And based on the songs presented it hopefully won't belong before a full production is gifted to audiences far and wide. This bright original show concerns a renaissance fair run by a family. The fair is down on its luck but populated with pirates, knights, and maidens fighting to keep it running whilst falling in love. The audience was treated to the knight's song boisterously sung with appropriate swagger by James Snyder (Harry Potter). Equally fun were the other numbers "Miladies" featuring Imari Hardon, Nicole Visco and Ms. Benjamin and a humble cute number "The Stowaway" with Rachel Flynn and Jacob Rienstra. And the love song "Howl at the Moon" featured James Snyder and Nicole Visco. These songs were all wonderful, well performed and captivating.
Additionally, Kate Rockwell powerfully sang "I Say No" (also from Heathers) and Brooke Quintana and Nicole Visco did a lovely rendition of '''One By One" If you want to relive the high school experience, there may be no finer shows to do that than Heathers or Mean Girls and the new songs clearly illustrate the pangs of fitting, empathy, and finding relationships that matter.
The night wound down with a selection from Winn Dixie offered by Paul Lincoln and Susan Derry. And wrapped up with Brooke Quintana, Nicole Visco, and Imari Hardon's powerful take on "I See Stars" from Mean Girls.
The power of O'Keefe/Benjamin songs is the urbane honesty, witty irreverence and purely realized emotion from fully realized characters singing their hearts out. This evening was a gift.”
“The cast had great energy and on-stage chemistry and a number of clever, off-the-cuff character riffs in response to technical hiccups or audience reactions (such as remarking, "This sounds familiar!" when a backing track was cued too soon and had to be replayed). In terms of specific cast shout-outs, this reviewer loved Nicole Visco's performance as Woman 3, which oscillates between hilarious physical comedy ano earnest vulnerability.”
“And a cooky S&M double act played with glint-in-the-eye glee by Donny Krow and Nicole Visco.
Overall, a perfectly cast and joyously played romp bolstered by an equally fine band under the musical direction of Audra Cramer and Chris Poon which unlike the title is as far from dirty and rotten as the presidential scoundrel is from the truth.”
“Donny Krow/Nicole Visco make an excellent team as Andre and Muriel…”
“Visco is a revelation as Veronica. she perfectly blends the horror, heart, and humor that the role requires; which is not an easy task. One of the highlights of the show is her subtle, non-verbal reactions to the craziness swirling around her; so try not to blink. Visco also possesses a fantastic musical theatre voice, belting out some insanely tough notes; especially during the climax of "Dead Girl Walking."
“As Veronica, Visco is every bit as captivating to watch as the young Winona Ryder was, but brings an energy all her own to the role; her Veronica is more upbeat and assertive, and much less of a gloomy proto-goth.”
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